Thanks for reminding me I need to find more time for Bloch. The PQs are brilliant.

A staple of my modest collection. Inspired by this thread, I just listened to the piano version of Poems of the Sea and really enjoyed it, exactly my cup of drama.

The Poems of the Sea are excellent in both their piano and orchestral versions. If you like the piano music I strongly recommend this one if you don't already know it. 'Visions and Prophesies' is a piano version of several movements from the orchestral 'Voice in the Wilderness' which I like very much for all its Hollywood biblical film score resonances - or maybe because of them.

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"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

The Poems of the Sea are excellent in both their piano and orchestral versions. If you like the piano music I strongly recommend this one if you don't already know it. 'Visions and Prophesies' is a piano version of several movements from the orchestral 'Voice in the Wilderness' which I like very much for all its Hollywood biblical film score resonances - or maybe because of them.

Brilliant, after listening to the Poems of the Sea, I immediately thought about seeking some of Bloch's solo piano music, which I'm not familiar with. Pefectly timed tip, appreciated!

Brilliant, after listening to the Poems of the Sea, I immediately thought about seeking some of Bloch's solo piano music, which I'm not familiar with. Pefectly timed tip, appreciated!

I was hooked since the first notes of the first PQ, one of the 'coolest' classical openings I know.

My pleasure. Let us know what you think if you get 'Visions and Prophecies'. I like that 'Old Testament prophet' aspect of Bloch's music and very much agree about the epic Piano Quintet 1. I don't listen to that much chamber music but Bloch, Shostakovich and Vaughan Williams (although he didn't write that much) are exceptions.

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"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

I was hooked since the first notes of the first PQ, one of the 'coolest' classical openings I know.

Could you help me decide which version to get ?There is this disc on amazon.fr, with good reviews. Its not on Amazon.com, but its also on amazon.co.uk, with also a very warm review.There is also a Karp-Pro Arte disc which seems to be OOP but maybe availiable as download. Thanks for your help.

Could you help me decide which version to get ?There is this disc on amazon.fr, with good reviews. Its not on Amazon.com, but its also on amazon.co.uk, with also a very warm review.There is also a Karp-Pro Arte disc which seems to be OOP but maybe availiable as download. Thanks for your help.

Not sure if this is addressed to me but the Hyperion CD is excellent but you wouldn't be disappointed with the other one either. I'd go for the cheapest/most available version.

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"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

Could you help me decide which version to get ?There is this disc on amazon.fr, with good reviews. Its not on Amazon.com, but its also on amazon.co.uk, with also a very warm review.There is also a Karp-Pro Arte disc which seems to be OOP but maybe availiable as download. Thanks for your help.

I'm listening to the opening of ProArte/Karp No.1. My first impression is I should be able to get better sound somewhere... anywhere. It's obviously recorded in one of those hilarious air-tight studios- what were audio-engineers thinking back in the day? Otherwise, the playing seems fine; the mix isn't ideal, either.

And there's the Arabesque Cycle... I forget how they are... except there's 1/8 of a second between Tracks. I think they are somewhat up-front.

Oy- yea, I'm not particularly able to restrain criticism of the ProArte/Karp. I'm not sure the strings are properly handling all notes in an idiomatic manner. Bloch works when it's a bit smudgy.

I've expressed my admiration for Bloch's Piano Quintet no. 1 in other threads but I'll do so again here. It's a magnificent work that traverses a troubled landscape - sometimes angry, sometimes lyrical, sometimes mysterious - and comes to rest in an incredibly moving bendecitory ending. C major has rarely felt so cathartic.

I also love Bloch's Concerto Grosso no. 1, a really energetic, tuneful work. Bloch, like Stravinsky, was a composer who was able to compose equally well throughout all the different stylistic phases of his career.

I've been greatly enjoying the epic Concerto Symphonique in the Micah Yui/David Amos/LSO version posted by Andre above. This was the first recording (for 27 years) since the old one on Vanguard which, I notice, has been reissued along with Abravanel's Utah version of the 'Israel Symphony' - two of Bloch's greatest works IMHO on one CD in historic recordings.PS I just read that the sound quality is much better on the old Vanguards of Israel Symph/Concerto Symphonique so maybe better to stick with them!The Laurel Record CD of Concerto Symphonique, however, is excellent in all respects with interesting couplings.

« Last Edit: September 26, 2017, 01:00:46 AM by vandermolen »

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"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

Agree about the somewhat Romantic String Quartet No. 1. It's nearly an hour long, but so full of diverting music that the time rushes by. There was a nearly 30 year gap between String Quartet No. 1 and String Quartet No. 2, which is more the Bloch we know from the String Quintets.

Agree about the somewhat Romantic String Quartet No. 1. It's nearly an hour long, but so full of diverting music that the time rushes by. There was a nearly 30 year gap between String Quartet No. 1 and String Quartet No. 2, which is more the Bloch we know from the String Quintets.

The CS has a kind of Hollyood epic film score aspect to it but I find the themes memorable and am always gripped by it. The Piano Quintet No.1 is another favourite.

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"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).